Monday, February 15, 2016

Get to Drive Kenworth W900 Now!

We are happy to announce that the legendary Kenworth W900 truck is now a part of American Truck Simulator. The truck is a free DLC - the game will be updated automatically through Steam. Please check out the little movie that we have made to celebrate this event:

There are also several notable changes coming with this game update, let us preview them for you:

Since ATS release, we have heard plenty of complaints regarding relative large fines in the game. Perhaps our tester group is so much experienced already; playing our games for years, that they did not bring it to our attention that this would be a problem especially for new players. We erred here on the side of trying to make this element of the game too close to reality, catering to the veteran fans who want it tough.

On second thought, it's not really a good idea to intimidate people coming fresh to the game with crippling fines. Fines are now considerably lower in the early stages of the game, they grow larger only as the player's skill/level grows.

We have also made the detection code for speeding more forgiving, giving the player more time to adjust to a new speed limit. We definitely do not want to make players feel like the game is unfair!

More changes in this area are in the pipeline, our map team is hard at work adding more speed limit signs to proper places to explicitly zone the limits. There are also changes to the AI code that are tied to yet more map tweaks, which should further limit the problems with being rammed by overly stupid AI cars and on top of it getting penalized for it. But we will only be able to push out the changes in the map alongside the next major game update, so please have patience with us.

Finally, we have also improved the detection of 'turn on red' feature in the game. For drivers in Europe, it may be a surprise that in the US it's legally allowed to turn right at red traffic light, unless explicitly prohibited. So in the game, if you properly use your indicator to signal that you are turning right, no red light penalty is applied just as expected..

Well, I did a test route and painted her in my fleet colors already, but SCS I must say I am VERY surprised how you did the UV mapping on this one. On every other SCS truck i know of, you could paint the individual sides of the truck so you could do lettering for company logos, etc. But this truck is a single side mirrored.

It isn't a huge complaint though, as it took less than 5 minutes to split the other side and remap it to a second texture file. just saying I was surprised is all. I hope future trucks don;t start doing this as well.

Other than that, the verdict is: She drives well, and with the exception of that pathetic horn, she sounds great. What's up with that horn anyway? LOL.

Yes,The horn on the roof looks so powerful but the sound feels like a baby. How hard it is to record a real horn sound? I'm really curious about what have you done to many recorded original sound files,SCS. Such as the Volvo FH in ETS2,its sound at low speed is pretty much different to reality. Anyway,the W900's engine sound is great.(I don't believe it much that it is a real sound effect now)

I agree as well. Definitely looking forward to a VNL that actually works. The 2 that I know of in the modding community - one of them cannot be painted because AU44 has stated he is against people painting his truck, so he purposefully scrambled the model so it couldn't be painted. And the other VNL could be painted, but was a complete and utter mess in the log files.

So definitely waiting patiently for an official version that actually works AND can be skinned.

Actually SCS mentioned that Peterbilt389 will be in the game soon while Volvo VNL780 didn't get it chance to show its name in that blog.But everything is possible, maybe it will get in the family before 389, who knows~

@Trucker_JimBob ... As you are already aware and have acknowledged by reading the web site, SCS only makes trucks currently in production. The W900 an the upcoming 389 is as classic as you are going to get. However there are PLENTY of high quality trucks from the modding community already available to you that are older models. There's literally a ton of them on the download sites already.

That is actually part of the great thing about how SCS has their system set up. They focus on licenses from the brands ... the brands want their CURRENT stuff showcased ... and the modding community remains strong by answering the demand for older models from nostalgic fans. This way we have plenty of choices from plenty of sources.

By the way - these are still proper American trucks. Just because they aren't dripping oil all over the ground and blowing black smoke from having been driven 5,000,000 miles a year does not make them not american. Technology, aerodynamics, driver comfort, performance, horsepower ... it's all getting better and better. What's wrong with representing that in the game?

It will fine you if you do not use your signal. I use my signal all the time and it doesn't. Also you have to some to a complete stop, signal, then continue on your right hand turn for it to be a Legal turn on red.

@Leipe - Yes, unless the intersection is clearly marked otherwise, turning right on red in the US is legal. Not just California, but the entire nation. You just treat the red as a stop sign and you are set :)

@Faelandaea yeah i know. They said in the article that they fixed it so you wouldnt get fined so often. But i never experienced any fine at all. makes me wonder how some players actually managed to get a fine ;-)

So as a country lets just sit on resources and cry provincially And be fake like Justin and take selfies like a highschool boy "don't worry budget will fix it self" hey get real Justin anyway so what are you saying? That's how we pay those payments to you if we can't get our oil there don't expect a payment...make sense example pay me $ without making any doesn't make sense fellow countrymen

Uh duh...we waited so much for this, I'm completely done with ETS2 hell I only played it because of the American truck mods, those European trucks are ugly, hate them.....so yes ATS is a priority ETS2 is already stable and close to finish.

Licensing takes a long/difficult time. You cant just go up to a truck company and ask ''Hi, can we put this truck into our game?''. No, thats not how it works. It takes months to years to get a truck license. Mack never does licenses anyway.

It would be a shame if Mack was not included. And I really dont understand the hype for the Volvo. I wonder if its really populair (according VNL market's share its not) I much rather see Freightliner coming soon.

Excellent detailing on truck and some great paint jobs to choose from. Nice job SCS. When it wasn't here for the release I thought it would have taken longer to be included so I'm surprised it's arrived so soon.

I bought 2x ETS2 with 14x2 DLCs (many among them are pointless skins that i not ever used).THE GAME is OVER!!! I'm not retarded.I will ever buy something new, when there will be new interesting things introduced, such as: reworked AI and physics, better sounds conditions, better animations quality, much more upgrade parts, better graphics, larger map, more trucks(for ATS), tandems, multi-point deliveries, garage real upgrade, better REALISTIC ECONOMY, see your trucks on the roads, buy your trailer. and the last question: What about the Michelin DLC that was reveled some time ago? We also want another brands!!! (continental, good year, pirelli)

Is it that hard to implement exhaust fumes for the trucks, is it that hard to have a new sound for the air brakes, rather then copy/paste from ETS2 ???

Why is it that we dont have the interior accessories in ATS ? It was only normal to have them as dlc in ETS2, but why are they missing from ATS, hence the games are same, ATS should of come out with the dlc already implemented and have future features come out in the future as dlc...

What a big disappointment ATS is, i would of expected all the features in ETS2 to come in ATS as standard... ATS is for me a huge let down !

Seems to me that you have striped the game before release so you could add content down the road and say "Hey look at us !" we are updating ATS constantly" That is the only explanation i can find given that this game has been in the works for more then 2 years, it can not be in all this time you was only able to create 2 states and 2 trucks !?!?

I don't think it was needed to lowering the fines. It was all about the fact that you got ticket in a same time you actually seen the speed sign and started to react on it. Other thing for me is too short yellow on lights. It creating the grey zone where no matter if you brake or go, you get ticket for red light.

Warning signage would help, especially on the highways. I don't know about out west but here on the east coast there are typically warning signs well ahead of major speed limit decreases or gradually reducing zones (65-55, 55-45, etc) in order to allow drivers sufficient time to slow without having to slam on brakes the moment they see they speed limit changing. There are several highways that drop instantly from 65/70 down to 30/35 right at the edge of town with no warning beforehand.

I agree. Nevada has many places that use the speed drop method (60-50-40-30) with appropriate signage (Speed Zone Ahead) and however many zones needed to drop the speed by 10 at a time. This is sadly missing from the game as it is now.

Out West, there's typically a Speed Zone Ahead sign with a (typically, but not always) sufficient distance to slow down to the new speed. Nevada is an exception, sort of, as described above.

I'm just going to assume that this is something that will be corrected either by SCS or by mod.

Agree, I have looked up some of the ones that were bugging me on Google maps and they are definitely standard over/underpasses with access ramps. Part of the intent of the Interstate Highway system (all the highways with the red and blue shield that begin with I-###) was to provide for a continuously flowing coast-to-coast highway system. Also there are a few intersections that could use traffic lights to break the flow of traffic occasionally as many of the 4-lane highways have a heavy enough flow that AI trucks and cars on crossroads will sit for 20+ real world minutes without attempting to turn or cross.

Please oh please can we at least get a small update of ETS2, sick of seeing ATS blog post but nothing of ETS2. Feels like you´ve forgotten ETS2 nowadays which makes me sad as that was your biggest game :(

Didn't realise, good feature for the American trucks especially as you can really use it as a Jake now, only engaging when your foot is completely off the throttle. Now we just need another 2 positions of braking force.

don't change things that don't need to be changed just to please some stupid players !! wtf is wrong with you guys ,, plus they can tune the police_data file to whatever they want !! come on guys !! for me it's not an update !! what you should do instead is make more places for service why only one in each city ?? and not even in every city ?? put some on the road side like mechanic garage and stuff !! and some the highway in fuel stations !!! i don't think its hard to be done !!!

hmm, fine adjustments seem to need adjustment. Tried and got fined $1800 when an AI car rearended me.Used to be $900, and of course getting fined for an accident you're not responsible for is not good to start with.

New truck looks good. I prefer smaller, more nimble, vehicles, but it looks good and I'm sure a lot of people will have a lot of fun with it.

The fines weren't a problem for me but the scaling of fines to a driver's level is very clever. I really like all these updates. AI actually drives pretty well -- I say that coming from the original Wheels of Steel games so I know how far SCS has come. The game already feels very polished so I'm really just wanting to drive in more States now.Great work SCS!

The fine amounts weren't so much of a problem, but the lack of grace periods and the eagerness of the cops to hand them out were (and who knows, maybe still are).Getting a fine 5 feet after entering a 35mph zone from a 55mph zone for example.or a red light offense when your front wheels are just edging over the line.

Brilliant truck, doubt I'll ever use another. Unfortunately it looks like Steam has lost my map data, so I've apparently only got one town now visited since the game was released and now on level 22 :(

Tried reloading it, only to find game has apparently crashed...I hate Steam, never used to have any problems when SCS registered the games and updates, but Steam just seems to cause problem after problem.

One reason I deleted the Steam ETS2 from my PC and installed the disc version, never had a problem since.

Sorry guys but any road warrior in the us knows u can't gave the iconic KW. without the PETE 389 AND 379... I'm sure this is next. PACCAR will not take kindy to them skipping the PETE. espexmc especially for a Volvo.

Is there any chance to get a fix in short-term for the stuck camera controls if head tracking software is installed? I didn't play ETS2 in a while and just noticed it with ATS but apparently both games are mistaking the mere presence of a head tracking software for head tracking being actually in use and lock mouse/gamepad camera controls. I'm only using head tracking (with TrackHat OpenTrack) occasionally but I don't want to uninstall/reinstall it each time I switch between ETS2/ATS without head tracking and using something with head tracking. Other games/simulators don't appear to have that issue - they usually detect if head tracking is active on launch and if it's not, they ignore it and behave as if no tracking was available.

Although i am a little disapointed with the amount of tuning options.. Exhaust Tips, Front Bumper mudflaps etc can all be added in America.. So why not in game? IMO front mudflaps and some 8inch Bullhorn/Cutback Tips would set the W900 right off ����

Also love the engine sounds, but where is the Turbo Whistle?? Growing up around Kenworths and Western Stars my whole life ive grown quite fond of the Turbo Whistle, and would love to hear it in game!

This new update really ruined the game for me. Im already at a high level and now am paying more fines than i was before. Police cars on oncoming lanes now trigger pricey fines, even through tunnels? Cars still ramming you? What a disappointment! And wheres the peterbilt 379?

Please revert fines as they were before the update. I spent too much playing time and hours of my time in game to be quitting at it now. Aside from this and some other annoyances, thank you SCS for making a good trucking game!

"We definitely do not want to make players feel like the game is unfair!"

This is almost a totally unnecessary mindset here from SCS .... and underpins are larger debate in general .... but then I need to remember this is still not a sim, it's a game.

Please SCS, add an option for 'game setting' and another for 'Sim settings' in the config page and being a path to develop the 'Sim settings'. Everyone wins and much is there to leverage already ........

Love the fact now have long nose in game. Major problem though. All W900's removed from mod folder, no mods activated in mod manager. Did 1st run no problems, but when go to do another quick job game crashes. Deleted profile and tried again with same results this time with mod folder empty. Crash log comes up with 2 call stack errors and Exception Code: C0000005 Access Violation. Can put crash log into drop box and post link if need be.

Very good job, the truck is great, but it's a shame that the sound is so bad, that is not true. Do you plan to change in the future and put yours, true? For now it sounds like a cement mixer and being such an iconic US disreño worth having its actual sound.

Also want to know why they have taken the CB Radio trucks? In USA is almost a necessity take, and it is a shame that at first if they had them in their designs that we saw in the video, and have now gone why? Do you think putting them on the inside in the future?

Nice. Release the Arizona DLC in a near future now please. [The last freebie-dlc if I'm correct?] I've already explored over 90% of the map and my business and Truck-fleets are also expanded and growing... I don't want to get back to ETS (and the somewhat buggy map-mods) just because I driven every road already in ATS. The US is BIG, so next state would be good to fit in in the next update, since there are many many more to add to the game... as we drive on.

The new truck is great, but the time scaling is ridiculous on this game...in ETS2 you had I think, 3 real time minutes to 1 game hour, but with ATS the clock is ticking down at about 1 real time minutes to 1 game hour..no sooner is it getting dark than it's getting light again. Really poor show, as with the tiny map.!

I don't known about others, but i think on atsmods.lt, there's a lots of Kenworth's with higher resolution texture and better diesel sound!Sorry but this truck is very poor detailed! I think its time to move on 9800 GT's and 2008 era

As stated many times before, there are two teams working at SCS. One team is working on ETS2 and the other team is working on ATS. So the developement of ATS isn't in the way of ETS2 and vice versa. Soon there will be news about patch 1.23 for ETS2, as have been said on a recent blog posting.

SCS You guys are doing a great job and 99% of us appreciate your work and whatever cant be implemented into the game due to licence issues is taken care of by the mods that your fans create...this game is the best sim on the market for realism and in my opinion the graphics in ATS are far superior to GTA5...ignore the very small percentage of old ladies on here who constantly moan about the smallest thing.....

fidiuss@ i dont think u r serious with that comment up there....r u kidding me!!! seriously GTA5 AND ATS what a comparision dude...GTA5 IS FAR MUCH BETTER THAN THIS ATS ..if u have played gta5 in high graphics settings u will feel that american feeling when u play gta5 and not while ATS....SO pls dont compare it.....gives me nightmares...

Well m just waiting for France DLC and Renault T (hopefully it comes with complete addons and parts) m not gonna play ATS until maybe next year until map is expanded atleast with more then 6 states ...ETS2 surely rocks...for me inspite being an old game its much fun to ride along with current map and some mods.SCS u seriously need to add tandem trailers and new curtain siders and lowbeds and container( looks retarded) trailers that actually matches with real ones..making such realistic trucks and not making a real trailer is not a point in a sim game....anyways keep working SCS soon hoping for a trailer DLC and southern expansion SPAIN AND FRANCE (maybe end of the year).HAPPY TRUCKING FELLAS -----regards from INDIA...

Not a chance...they only got Kenworth and Peterbilt licences because they already had a foot in the door with PACCAR who also own DAF and Leyland trucks in Europe. I doubt they'll get permission for any other truck manufacturer in the US.

I'm surprised ATS seemed kinda lacking initially but its fun as you go. I have a few questions. Are the features from ATS gonna be brought to ETS2. And is it possible for a cross over. I understand ETS2 would require a lot of work but maybe a feature where your ATS profile is a rival in your ETS2 game or which ever way you wanna slice it.and also trucks like loads more lol. Even if u add like 2nd hand scs name brand before licences and such. Just a lil sumtin to run around with. Sorry I know we ask a lot. Big fan ;p. Hope to collaborate 1 day.

I'm surprised ATS seemed kinda lacking initially but its fun as you go. I have a few questions. Are the features from ATS gonna be brought to ETS2. And is it possible for a cross over. I understand ETS2 would require a lot of work but maybe a feature where your ATS profile is a rival in your ETS2 game or which ever way you wanna slice it.and also trucks like loads more lol. Even if u add like 2nd hand scs name brand before licences and such. Just a lil sumtin to run around with. Sorry I know we ask a lot. Big fan ;p. Hope to collaborate 1 day.

Thanks for the heads up, Team! Enjoying the game here. I've already visited all cities but still didn't cover 70% of the map. I'd love to praise and also do some critics, so sorry for long post.

1. First time I went to a different city and I saw the vehicles crossing the red light I was like "WTF is he doing?!". I didn't know USA traffic rules allowed this, but I started noticing it by myself. Thanks for the heads up clarifying this.

2. I was glad to see the realism about closed roads - instead of having road signs with an "XXXX" over the city name like ETS2, have the actual city name with the word "closed" over it. I don't know if you plan going south (I mean literally) on next DLCs, but reading "Tijuana" on road signs gives at least the illusion that the map isn't isolated from the rest of the world.

3. Still kinda related to previous topic, I noticed there are "closed cities" inside California - that is, not on roads heading out of it. Will current released states still be updated to have more cities on next DLCs, or only new states will be added?

4. Will other states be added one at a time like Nevada was and Arizona will be, or will some states be released as a region on a DLC (let's say, like the regions from "The Crew")?

5. It was noted by Kenneth Sapp some posts before, but I had the same problem about some 2-lane road ending on 4-lane highway T-intersection (probably there are others, but the ones I remember are all on Tonopah). The drivers exiting the 2-lane road and turning left simply don't move - they wait all highway drivers heading right, then all highway drivers heading the 2-lane road from the turning lane, and then all drivers heading right again... There are some solutions I could think:- Changing the T-intersection(s) to access ramp(s) (maybe not the best solution as it should include some changes to map around it too)- Making the AI of drivers exiting the 2-lane road a little more "agressive", making they act right after the drivers from the turning lane (maybe not another good solution, as this could affect the AI in other places)- Adding traffic lights (probably the best and less traumatic change on map)

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